How did a gunfighter call out opponents?

Question

I saw several westerns recently, and my father mentioned something about spurs on a gunfighter's boots or a bell on his saddle being a gunfighter's way of calling out challengers. If he wanted to get in a fight, he left his spurs on or let the bell ring. If he didn't want any trouble, he silenced them. Could someone help me out?

Answer 1

To be totally honest with you, showdowns are pretty much a Hollywood thing. Most shootings were done from ambush, or by shooting the person in the back.

Answer 2

MOST OF THE TIME THEY WOULD SAY" HEY YOU YELLOW-BELLY SAP-SUCKER LET'S GO

OUT SIDE AND DO THE d**n THANG. FOR YOU DRINKERS OUT THERE WHEN YOU HERE THE WORD 86...IT MEANS YOU ARE CUT OFF FROM DRINKING, BUT IN THE WILD WILD WEST IT MEANT YOU COULD NOT HANDLE  ANYTHING STRONG, SO YOU HAD TO DRINK LIQUOR THAT WAS ONLY 86 PROOF STRONG.

Answer 3

Not in the horse racing category.